AB1083 MUSCULOSKELETAL MANIFESTATIONS AND POSTCOVID SYNDROME IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS INFECTED WITH COVID-19
Authors: Ö. Küçülmez, G. Gençtoy
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background Covid-19 may cause musculoskeletal manifestations or postcovid syndrome (1-3). Molecular mimicry, precursor activation, continue immune activation are held responsible for the development of autoimmunity (4). It has been suggested that SARSCoV-2 infection can cause blockage of lymph vessels since the virüs can infect lymph endothelial cells branching tot he nasal cavity and may cause postcovid syndrome (5). Objectives The aim of this study was to characterise the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints, postcovid syndrome in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and relationship between clinical features and labaratory parameters. Methods A single-centre retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients at Baskent University between March 1 and December 31, 2020. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee. Hospitalized patients aged above 18 years, diagnosed with COVID-19 via RT-PCR are included the study. Pregnant patients, those with severe end-stage disease or with missing documentation were excluded. Data were obtained from electronic health records. Information was collected about patient demographics, history and duration of complaints, history of postcovid syndrome, fever or anosmia, respiratory problems, length of stay, history of intensive care and COVID- 19-related biochemical parameters and rheumatologic tests. The corelation between musculoskeletal manifestations, postcovid syndrome and clinical and labaratory parameters were observed. P value&lt;0,05 was considered statistically significiant. Results Totaly 109 patiensts included to the study. %39,45 of patients were female (n=66), %60,55 of patients were male (n=43). %34,86 (n=38)of patiens complained about athralgia, %1.83 (n=2) had arthritis and %41,28 (n=45) described fatigue. Postcovid syndrome was determined in %32.11 (n=35) of patients. Positive otoantibody was determined in one patient and arthritis due to paraneoplastic syndrome was detected in a case. There was significiant corelation between fever, length of stay and control CRP (p&lt;0,05). There was significiant corelation between basal CRP and control CRP, length of stay, history of intensive care, oxygen support (p&lt;0,05). There was significiant corelation between postcovid syndrome and arthritis, arthralgia, fatigue (p&lt;0.05) but there was no corelation between postcovid syndrome and basal or control CRP, fever, anosmia, length of stay, intenssive care or oxygen support (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion As there was no corelation between musculoskeletal manifestations, postcovid syndrome and labaratory and clinical findings. There should be further studies for understanding mechanisms of musculoskeletal manifestations and postcovid syndrome in SARSCoV-2 infection. References [1]Wostyn P. COVID-19 and chronic fatigue syndrome: Is the worst yet to come? Med Hypotheses. 2021 Jan;146:110469. [2]Cipollaro L, Giordano L, Padulo J, Oliva F, Maffulli N.Musculoskeletal symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) patients. J Orthop Surg Res. 2020 May 18;15(1):178. [3]Disser NP, De Micheli AJ, Schonk MM, Konnaris MA, Piacentini AN, Edon DL, Toresdahl BG, Rodeo SA, Casey EK, Mendias CL. Musculoskeletal Consequences of COVID-19. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020 Jul 15;102(14):1197-1204. [4]Shah S, Danda D, Kavadichanda C, Das S, Adarsh MB, Negi VS. Autoimmune and rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases as a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its treatment. Rheumatol Int. 2020 Oct;40(10):1539-1554. [5]Kucuk A, Cumhur Cure M, Cure E. Can COVID-19 cause myalgia with a completely different mechanism? A hypothesis. Clin Rheumatol. 2020 Jul;39(7):2103-2104. Table 1. Corelation between musculoskeletal complaints (arthralgia, arhtritis, fatigue), postcovid syndrome and labaratory and clinical parameters Basal CRP Control CRP Fever Length of stay *Arhritis (n=2) P value 0,19 0,28 0,39 0,09 *Arthralgia (n=38) P value 0,57 0,81 0,17 0,89 *Fatigue (n=45) P value 0,73 0,56 0,24 0,35 *Postcovid syndrome (n=35) P value 0,39 0,56 0,11 0,35 * Spearman’s corelation test ** Statistically significiant p&lt;0,05 Disclosure of Interests None declared